(G) Engine Block Rust

Hi just a question to see if anyone else has the same problem on their grande puntos. Upon looking at my engine i noticed the engine block had a whole load of rust on it.
Took it to fiat they said its quite normal for a car to have that as its exposed to the elements and so on. The car had its pre-delivery check on 12/07 i got it on 8th march. Just got back today after having talked to the general manager and he explained that they get them shipped over from Italy and sit somewhere until they get moved. I tried explaining that i am not getting what i paid for. I came with the intention to the showroom to buy a new car not a rustbucket. But he clearly said that this is quite normal :s Anyone else notice this on their cars?

cant say ive noticed any rust on mine

Ditto... but they are cast iron and shouldnt rust thru... Not really the point I know.

it'll just be surface rust if anything. it certainly doesn't make it a rust bucket. calm down

Formula One BMW engines back in the 1,000bhp plus days were purposely left in the weather for a time to relax after the casting procedure, prior to machining and assembly into World Championship winning engines so I think a bit of surface rust will only add to a Fiat's reputation!

This is normal. It'll never, ever, rust through, which is why it doesn't matter, and all cars with cast iron blocks do it.

Look at the remains of ancient cars. The engine blocks are still there when the rest has gone to auto heaven.

Is this a serious post?

My thoughts exactly

Well yeh i thought it was serious first time i have bought a new car rust is not something i would associate with a new car. But it seems like this is quite normal forgive me for my ignorance

Thing is, theres rust and then theres rust.

Surface rust or surface pitting is pretty common on any part like this exposed to the elements. Theres never going to be any danger of it being detrimental to the car.

Thats right... and dont forget the constant heating up / cooling down...

Better not look at the hubs and discs when you get the front tyres changed.

Yeh mine's all rusted.. yummy

The F1 engines were rumoured to be recovered 316 blocks I thought, IIRC it was because it was the easiest way to fine one that wouldn't crack through casing problems (as it would already be cracked).

Probably an urban myth I would suspect!

Although it is how stainless was discovered, piles of samples of different mixes left out in silos and someone noticed one formula hadn't rusted

Dont worry about it....welcome to the forum and in particular the grande punto section which is the best section in the whole forum (especially the moderator he's a nice bloke)